What's happening in 207


June 8, 2012

This is it - this is the end of our 2011-2012 classroom blog. Take a stroll backwards and remember what we accomplished this year. -Mrs. Bisson

In the Daily Five,we leaned how to make a diagram using information from the National Geographic article, Tide Pool Tales. (Shreya) In Writing,we are doing a shape poem. (Kiana)

In mathematics, we are doing problems that have an A and B equation. (Kiana)

FROM MRS. Bisson: Thanks to our 3 bloggers who have done such a grand job of chronicling our school year.

June 1, 2012

Our blog team was away this Friday for a special school-wide event. So in their absence, Mrs. Bisson will write this week's entry.

In our reading during Daily Five, we read a nonfiction article in National Geographic comparing different species of insects. We are comparing plot and themes in literature and learning to identify each. In Writing we are completing our 'expert' pieces and working on an advice booklet for the new third graders.

In Mathematics, we completed our fourth Benchmark test and we are completing our last 2 modules for the math curriculum. Module 7 will cover computation in all four operations and two-step problem solving; Module 8 will review perimeter, area, and attributes of 2-dimensional shapes.

Last Wednesday was our annual Field Day. We had a lot of fun participating in all the activities Mrs. Guthrie planned for us.

We have a very busy schedule for the next 10 days left in the school year. Next week we will have a Bank Program Graduation, some students in the Historical Tutoring program will visit Hartwell tavern, all third graders will be visited by the Canaligator (Lowell Spinners) AND on Thursday it is the ever-popular Creegan Family Fun Night. Be there or be square!

Until next week.....

Written by Mrs. Bisson


May 25, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we are continuing our work in Daily Five (Samantha). . In Writing we doing pictures for our writing and a Glossary. (Kiana)

In Mathematics, we are learning about MASS and we are learning about what is bigger, like grams or kilograms. (Shreya)

In Library, we are learning about how the moon changes and what it does (Kiana).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


May 18, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we doing cause and effect. (Samantha). . In Writing we are learning how to do CUPS for editing our writing. (Kiana)

In Mathematics, we are learning how to use a balance for weighing MASS. (Kiana & Shreya)

In Music, we we learning ato play recorders (Shreya).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


May 11, 2012

Our last MCAS session takes place on WEDNESDAY!

In our reading during Daily Five, we are using a fact-question organizer to help us remember the facts that we are learning in our non-fiction reading. In Writing we are learning how to color code the topic-detail-closing sentences in a paragraph. This helps us to write better organized paragraphs. (Shreya)

In Mathematics, we are doing fractions and mixed numbers and we are doing a cuisenaire puzzle. (Kiana)

In Art, we we learning about a creating Mosaics (Samantha).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


May 04, 2012

We are getting ready for our MCAS Mathematics Testing. Testing starts on TUESDAY!

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning and using F.Q.R for our reading (Samantha). In Writing Workshop, we are doing a draft about a "how to" (Kiana).

In Mathematics, we are learning how to do data sentences with graphs and different kinds of measuring. And we are learning about perimeter and area. (Shreya, Samantha, Kiana)

In Social Studies, we went on a field trip to the Boott Mills to learn about Mill Girls' lives there (Samantha).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

April 13, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we are marking out thinking in a magazine article, "New Land" (Shreya). In Writing Workshop, we are learning how to write a question and answer format for information texts. (Shreya).

In Mathematics, we are learning about Bar graphs and Picture graphs. (Sammy)

In Social Studies, we are learning about what happened to the Patriots and what happened to the Red Coats and the story of Paul Revere (Kiana).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

April 05, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning how to use out Word Wall (Kiana). In Writing Workshop, we are learning how to do write an Expert List and then write a story of what we are experts at. (Shreya).

In Mathematics, we are learning more fractions so we can be prepared for our fraction test. (Kiana)

In Science, we are doing questions about roots, and trying to answer the questions that we have (Samantha).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


March 30, 2017

No School on April 6th - Bank Program, April 5th

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning how to compare and contrast and learning to code our reading and thinking (Samantha). In Writing Workshop, we are learning how to do Expository Writing (Kiana).

In Mathematics, we are using Cuisenaire Rods to help us with fractions (Shreya)

In Art, we are learning how to change the value of color (Kiana).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

March 23, 2012

Last day for Reading MCAS will be Monday. Be there or be square!

In our reading during Daily Five, we are completing an inference chart so we know what words mean. (Samantha). In Writing Workshop we are practicing how to write a response for MCAS. (Shreya)

In Mathematics, we are using strips of cubes and rectangles to help us with our fractions. (Kiana)

In Science, we are comparing plants to the ones Mrs. Bisson hides and only shows us the roots. (Samantha)

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

March 16, 2012

OUR MCAS TESTS BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY. Be there or be square!

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning test vocabulary for MCAS. (Samantha). In Writing Workshop we are practicing how to write a response for MCAS. (Shreya)

In Mathematics, we are learning how to put fractions on a number line. (Shreya)

In Social Studies, we are learning about the colonists and colonial times (Kiana)

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

March 09, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning how to use Text-to-Self (T-S), Text-to-Text (T-T), and Text-to-World (T-W). (Samantha) We are learning how to use C.U.P.S. to check our writing (Kiana).

In Mathematics, we are learning about fractions. (Shreya)

In Science, we are observing what is in the worm bin that is decomposing. (Shreya)

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


March 02, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we learned how to do a clear response to an MCAS question. We are Writing to convince someone (persuade).

In Mathematics, we are starting to learn about fractions.

In Science, we are looking at the worms and observing what we saw and what has changed..

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


February 17, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning to write a response without retelling. In Writing Workshop we are writing about things we wonder about.

In Mathematics, we are learning how to round numbers on a number line.

In Science, we are learning how to write nonfiction about soil, decomposers, and organisms (plants, animals, and living things).

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

January 27, 2012

In our reading during Daily Five, we are learning about the Titanic. We are using inference to discover the meaning of challenging vocabulary. In Writing, we are learning how to sketch-to-stretch.

In Mathematics, we are learning how to multiply to get the area.

In Science, we are learning that worm droppings are soil.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


January 20, 2012

We are learning about inferencing in our reading when doing Read To Self. In Writing Workshop, we are learning to make watermelon topics and seed ideas.

In Mathematics, we are learning about perimeter and area.

In Social Studies, we are learning about King George.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

January 13, 2012

In Writing Workshop we are learning to give our peers compliments and suggestions..

In Mathematics, we are learning how to subtract in the thousands place.

In Science we are learning about red worms.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


January 06, 2012 - Happy New Year!

In the Daily Five, we are learning about homophones during Word Work. In our Writing Workshop, we are learning about types of writing like an Imagination Notebook and our Writers' Notebook.

In Mathematics, we are learning about rectangle's area and square feet.

In Social Studies, we are learning about Massachusetts and maps.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

December 16, 2011

The Elks Lodge visited us on Tuesday. We all received a personal dictionary to use. On Friday, we received a RIF book to read over the vacation.

In the Daily Five we are learning about inferring. In Writing Workshop we are drafting our narratives and using dialog to show not tell.

In Mathematics, we are exploring area by using tetrominoes.

In Social Studies we are learning about the 13 colonies.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


December 9, 2011

We are learning how to ask questions while we are learning in our Daily Five focus lessons. In Writing Workshop, we are learning how to write a narrative.

In Mathematics, we are learning how to measure the perimeter of items.

In Science, we are learning how to record what we observe in the soil.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


December 2, 2011
Mr. Wellenstein from the Solid Waste and Recycling Program in the City visit today.

In the Daily Five we are learning about similes. In Writing Workshop, we are learning about possessive nouns. In Mathematics we are learning about division and multiplication problems. In Science, we are observing leaf matter in soil.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya


November 18, 2011

Wow! We've had a couple of interesting weeks with the Snow-tober storm and Veteran's Day. Here's what is happening in 3-207 as we prepare for the Thanksgiving break:

In the Daily Five, we are learning how to be a fluent reader. In Writing Workshop, we have learned how to rewrite our Small Moments. We are learning how to do division in math. In Science we are learning about soil.

Written by Kiana, Samantha and Shreya

From Mrs. Bisson:

Parents, on Tuesday, the Lincoln School is hosting a talk by Charles Appelstein. Mr. Appelstein has written a wonderful book titled No Such Thing As A Bad Kid. Please consider joining the Lincoln School and Lowell Public Schools for this information night - babysitting will be provided.

Also, as we complete our Small Moments Narratives, we will hold a Celebration of Writing on Wednesday, November 23 (9:45-10:15 am) - that early dismissal day before Thanksgiving. To make the day even more exciting (as if!), Room 3-207 will provide the musical performance at our November Whole School Meeting (9-9:30 am). If you can attend for any part of this festive day you will truly enjoy it!


October 21, 2011

In Reading and the Daily Five we are learning to use our schema to make an inference in reading AND we are becoming voracious readers.. We are learning to edit and revise our Small Moment Narrative. In math we have started our unit on Multiplication and Division. In Science the students have made an observation about autumn and written what we saw, heard, felt, and touched.

Please be sure to empty the weekly Monday folder. Lots of important information is in the folder!

Written by Mrs. Bisson

October 21, 2011

In Reading and the Daily Five we are learning about schema. We are learning to edit and revise our Small Moment Narrative. In math we are learning to round numbers to the closest ten or hundred. In gym, we are learning about football.

Written by Kiana, Shreya, and Samantha

October 14, 2011

In the Daily Five we are learning how to different strategies to read. In Writing workshop we are learning to write small moments. In mathematics we are learning how to decompose. In science we are learning how to grown pumpkins in the wrong season.

Written by Kiana, Shreya, and Samantha


October 7, 2011

We are learning new words in the Daily Five. In Reading and Writing Workshop we are learning how to visualize. In math class we are learning how to round to the hundreds and tens place. In social studies we are learning about animals like bears, fish, and we ware learning about volcanoes.

Written by Kiana, Shreya, and Samantha


September 30, 2011

In the Daily Five we are learning how to use the Listening Center. In Writing Workshop we are learning how to write books. In Math we are learning how to do an open number line. For social studies we read about animals in our magazines.

Written by Kiana

September 23, 2011
In the Daily Five, we learned to Read to Someone. In Writing Workshop we had to write about Miss Nelson Is Missing and what is your favorite part and why. And we read books to get ideas. In Math we learned games. We learned the game Clean Up the Money, Collect $2 and we learned about clocks. The special I like best is Library because I like to read new books.

Written by Shreya

September 16, 2011
Here is a summary of what we have been working on in Room 3-207. The students will begin writing this blog next Friday!

We got our Stability Balls in our classroom! The children are excited to use them. Ask them why stability balls are good alternatives for chairs.

We have been listening to stories by Patricia Polacco and by David Shannon. Where did these authors get their ideas for books?

Students are also able to use 4 of the Daily Five choices. Next week we hope to roll out the entire choice program. We've been building our stamina and can now read for an uninterrupted 15 minutes!

In mathematics, we have been reviewing place value. Ask your student what the term "difference" means. He or she should be able to tell you.

Thank you to everyone who sent in a box of tissues!


September 9, 2011
Welcome to our first blog entry. This is a first for Room 3-207 -- over the next weeks the students in the classroom will be writing the blog entry on Friday afternoons. We hope you will check back often to find out what we have been learning in our classroom!

We are up to 9 minutes of stamina for each of the 4 areas of the Daily Five! By the end of next week, we hope to be able to keep our stamina strong for 15 minutes -- a goal for the class. We have learned about expectations for Read to Self, Read to Someone, Word Work and Work on Writing. Next week, we will add the last Independent choice, Listen to Reading. Mrs. Bisson will start conferencing and small reading groups next week too. We have learned how to select books from the Classroom Library and we will practice how to pick "Good Fit" books all of next week too. Our RAH fraction was 21 out of 24. We hope next week it will be 100%.

We have been thinking about how authors get their ideas for stories this week. We enjoyed Patricia Polacco's "Thank You Mr. Falker" and discovered that ideas can come from a memory the author has. We have written several stories using our own memories.

In mathematics, we are reviewing place value. We learned and reviewed 5 strategies for solving equations: open number line, drawing or using strips and singles (tens and ones) pictures, decomposing a number to tens and ones, using a 100-chart, and using number strings. We took our first timed (5-minute) addition fact fluency test so we can tell which facts still need some attention.

Parents, for your convenience, I have posted the weekly homework assignments on this website. Please let me know if this is helpful for you.

Look for our Red Communication folders on Monday. We will share more information with you about upcoming events and activities in our classroom and in the Lincoln School. You can also find lots of great information about our school on the Lincoln School Website. Be sure to add this web address to your bookmark!